Information About Socialized Medicine in France

France's health care system has been ranked No. 1 in the world by the World Health Organization, and some believe that the U.S., which ranked No. 37, should follow France's lead.

'Socialized' Medicine?

• The French health care system is not strictly socialized. It is paid for with a mix of public and private funds, with contributions by both workers and employers.

Who Is Covered?

• Everyone in France is covered under Securite Sociale, the national health care.

How Much Does It Cost?

• France spends 9.8 percent of its gross domestic product on health care for its citizens. The U.S. spends 13.7 percent of its GDP. Per capita, France shells out $3,500, while the U.S. pays $6,100.

Doctors

• Nearly all French doctors participate in Securite Sociale. They agreed to this system only if they could have complete freedom in medical decisions and if patients could choose any doctor they wanted. Securite Sociale handles billing.

Patients

• Most generalist doctors in France charge the same amount for an office visit, €22, though some can demand more. A patient with Securite Sociale will automatically get back about €14 as of October 2009, directly deposited in his bank account. The patient just swipes her card at the doctor's office.

  The French government sets cost limits on drugs (RESOURCE), so a patient with Securite Sociale will generally pay less than €10--usually much less--for a 10-day run of antibiotics.